Different teen is accused of murdering Lilac Street man

Dennis Nett / The Post-StandardSyracuse police officers work at the scene of the homicide of Casimir Snyder on Lilac Street on Jan. 4.

11:32 a.m. update: District Attorney William Fitzpatrick and Syracuse police chief Gary Miguel said at a news conference this morning authorities had to wait for forensic evidence to be tested in the crime lab to charge Shawn Rhines, 15, with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Casimir Snyder Jan. 4 on Lilac Street.

The officials said the case was unusual and that authorities had obtained statements from both Rhines and Ja-Le C. Johnson, 16, confessing to the shooting. Miguel said the forensic evidence supports the contention that Rhines was the shooter, despite Johnson's initial confession.

Fitzpatrick said he could not offer a definitive explanation for why Johnson claimed to be the shooter when he was not.

"It's almost like he was playing a game with SPD (Syracuse police) to see what the other teenager would do," Fitzpatrick said.

He also said the two teenagers had been practicing aiming rifles from the attic window across the street from Snyder's house. They also reportedly had been shooting at squirrels to hone their expertise, he said.

"This was a seasoned shooter, who had practiced with this weapon in that neighborhood from this sniper's perch," Fitzpatrick said of Rhines.

Earlier:

Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse teen was arraigned in Onondaga County court today on an indictment charging him with intentionally murdering a Lilac Street man who was gunned down outside his home last month.

Shawn Rhines Jr., 15, is accused of killing Casimir Snyder by shooting him in the neck with a rifle Jan. 4.

Defense lawyer Christina Cagnina said she believes her client is being charged in place of a teenager who had earlier been arrested in the case.

Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle declined to comment on what Rhines' indictment means to the pending prosecution against the other teen, Ja-Le C. Johnson, 16.

Johnson was indicted this morning on charges of second-degree criminal facilitation, first-degree hindering prosecution, second-degree perjury and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The DA has slated a press conference for 11 a.m. to discuss the new development in the case.

Cagnina entered a not guilty plea for Rhines before Judge Joseph Fahey, who ordered the teenager held in custody without bail. Rhines is being prosecuted as an adult because of the seriousness of the crime.